46 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites,

Other Translations of Numbers 3:46

King James Version

46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;

English Standard Version

46 And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites,

The Message

46 Redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of Levites

New King James Version

46 And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites,

New Living Translation

46 There are 273 more firstborn sons of Israel than there are Levites. To redeem these extra firstborn sons,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 3:46

Commentary on Numbers 3:40-51

(Read Numbers 3:40-51)

The number of the first-born, and that of the Levites, came near to each other. Known unto God are all his works beforehand; there is an exact proportion between them, and so it will appear, when they are compared together. The small number of first-born, over and above the number of the Levites, were to be redeemed, and the redemption-money given to Aaron. The church is called the church of the first-born, which is redeemed, not as they were, with silver and gold; but, being devoted by sin to the justice of God, is ransomed with the precious blood of the Son of God. All men are the Lord's by creation, and all true christians are his by redemption. Each should know his own post and duty; nor can any service required by such a Master be rightly accounted mean or hard.

47 collect five shekels[1] for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.

Other Translations of Numbers 3:47

King James Version

47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)

English Standard Version

47 you shall take five shekelsA shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahsA gerah was about 1/50 ounce or 0.6 gram),

The Message

47 by collecting five shekels for each one, using the Sanctuary shekel (the shekel weighing twenty gerahs).

New King James Version

47 you shall take five shekels for each one individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs.

New Living Translation

47 collect five pieces of silver for each of them (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs).

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 3:47

Commentary on Numbers 3:40-51

(Read Numbers 3:40-51)

The number of the first-born, and that of the Levites, came near to each other. Known unto God are all his works beforehand; there is an exact proportion between them, and so it will appear, when they are compared together. The small number of first-born, over and above the number of the Levites, were to be redeemed, and the redemption-money given to Aaron. The church is called the church of the first-born, which is redeemed, not as they were, with silver and gold; but, being devoted by sin to the justice of God, is ransomed with the precious blood of the Son of God. All men are the Lord's by creation, and all true christians are his by redemption. Each should know his own post and duty; nor can any service required by such a Master be rightly accounted mean or hard.